BIOFACH will celebrate its 30th edition

BIOFACH the world's leading trade fair for organic food and sustainable products returns to the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg to celebrate its 30thedition on February 13-16, 2019. The organizers expect more than 2,900 exhibitors and 50,000 trade visitors from over 100 countries.

At BIOFACH the program includes a diverse and dynamic Congress. It is a platform to share and learn the latest information on legislation, certification, research, and innovation related to organic farming and production and social and environmental impact. This year 9,000 delegates took part in over 150 individual sessions at the BIOFACH and VIVANESS congress. In 2019 the theme at the BIOFACH Congress is “The organic system: healthy in a holistic approach.” The program will focus on the connection between agriculture, food processing, nutrition, and health. Topics of discussion include how cultivation and processing methods affect the nutritional value of foods and their impact on health, and how is organic food changing eating habits at home and in the catering industry. Another critical topic is the direct relation of agriculture and the food industry on public health; the disconnect between public health and nutrition and the relationship between healthy soil and healthy people, and which consequences need to be drawn from the prominent role played by diet-related illnesses. The discussions expect to offer insight to policymakers and how they can use the organic system to reduce health costs and environmental damage. Every year the theme at the Congress is determined by the German Federation of Organic Food Producers (BÖLW) national supporting organization, along with the international patron IFOAM – Organics International and the fair organizers.

The three sections “Experience the World of Olive Oil, Vegan and Wine have proven successful, and the Novelty Stands for each BIOFACH, and VIVANESS allow visitors to identify some of the latest products to come to market.

Besides the international character and a high number of VIP buyers, BIOFACH stands out because of the effort the show organizers make to guarantee the exhibitors are showing products certified under the EU Organic Regulation or the accreditation directives of IFOAM, the patron of BIOFACH. Inspectors walk the aisles during the fair to confirm the products registered are those on display decreasing the chance for fraud, which unfortunately happens sometimes.

This year, BIOFACH attracted 3,238 exhibitors, including 276 at VIVANESS, presenting a wide range of organic products from 93 countries.

Two new halls, the central theme of 'Next Generation' and 'Organic right from the start,' and the new special show on organic breeding, provided the latest trends and inspiration to 50,200 visitors from 134 countries, according to organizers at Nurnberg Messe.

While some people at BIOFACH 2018 mentioned the changed hall layout and access this year changed the flow of traffic, exhibitors spoken within the past months do not believe this impacted on their results at this year's fair, with responses all positive.

The United States-based Organic Trade Association hosted 15 U.S. organic companies at BioFach 2018, said Barbara Haumann, senior writer/editor, OTA. "Using about $145,000 U.S. in funds provided by USDA’s Market Access Program, those hosted by U.S. Organic Worldwide administered by the Organic Trade Association met with interested buyers from all over the world.

The 15 participating U.S. companies projected US$15.61 million in sales as a result of this activity. Meanwhile, three-ingredient companies reported onsite sales totaling $1.23 million U.S., including a first-time export sale for one company. This means a total of over $16.96 million in projected opportunity; a return of 11,596 percent! The Organic Trade Association was very pleased with activities at BioFach 2018 and deemed it a very successful event."

Organic dried fruit and food supplier Biofresco, Greece had a very successful BIOFACH 2018 show. Panagiotis Tekeoglou, Export Department said: "BIOFACH is a very well-organized fair. Everything is made easy for the exhibitors, from transportation and storage to assembling and dismantling your booth. Another plus point is the display areas focused on a specific product range (e.g. the World of Olive Oil and the Awards, the Novelty stands). BIOFACH provides many 'tools' and 'advantages' that could eventually lead to success, but success and profitability will come only if the exhibitor focuses and invests on marketing and promotion.”

At Canada's Andean organic superfoods supplier, UHTCOCorporation, president & CEO Jorge L. Urena said: "The 2018 show was good and regardless of the change of traffic flow we did fine. Overall results were favourable."

Markus Pandur of UHTCO's Commercial Office, Europe, said: "BIOFACH continues to be the best show in Europe for natural and organic products; it is a great meeting point and offers lots of good leads."

BIOFACH has established BIOFACH World, a network of sister events for organic trade in Brazil, China, India, Japan, Thailand, and the USA, a global presence that assists 3,500 exhibitors and 100,000 trade visitors every year.